Here at Goss, we love all things self-care, especially skincare! With hundreds of active ingredients, the opportunities are endless... but along with that comes complications. We want to make it simple for you and share the proper application steps along with some key features of some of our favourite actives!
Step 1: Cleanser. The first step in any skincare routine is always to cleanse. The difference between day and night is that if you wear makeup during the day, you want to double cleanse at night. The first wash gets rid of your makeup so that the second wash can thoroughly clean your skin.
Step 2: Eye cream (if you use one). Use about 1/2 a pea size amount between your two eyes to give those lids and under eyes the hydration they deserve.
Step 3: Toner. The purpose of a toner is to help balance the pH of your skin while calming it at the same time. This helps prep your skin for any products that have an especially high or low acidity, do their job effectively without irritation.
Step 4: Serums. The serums you choose to incorporate depend entirely on your skin's needs and goals. Serums often have higher concentrations of active ingredients than other products, so be careful that you don't mix conflicting actives in this step.
Step 5: Moisturizer. This step is a must in everyone's routine. I'm sure you know this by now, but maintaining your skin's hydration not only prevents dryness but also is proven to be effective in slowing down the ageing process. This is a step that must not be skipped!
Step 6: Spot treatment (if you need it). If you don't suffer from breakouts, how does it feel to be God's favourite? All joking aside, spot treatments typically work best after your moisturizer because the skin surrounding those blemishes is hydrated and protected. Before you apply your spot treatment, take a Q-Tip and lightly wipe the spot to allow the product to penetrate deeper.
Step 7: SPF. If you want to avoid wrinkles and premature ageing, SPF is your best friend. While we love vitamin D and the benefits the sun can provide, it is imperative to wear SPF all day, everyday to prevent sun damage.
Now that you know the steps, let's talk about a few active ingredients.
Hyaluronic Acid: The term acid may seem like this ingredient is aggressive, but we're here to reassure you that it is in fact the opposite (when used properly). Hyaluronic acid is renowned for its powerful capabilities in retaining moisture. This molecule can hold up to 1000x its weight in water and is found naturally in our bodies! Pretty impressive, right? A budget-friendly and entry-level HA that we love here at Goss, is The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This serum doesn't break the bank and it leaves your skin nice and hydrated. Goss Tip: apply hyaluronic acid on a damp face for the best results.
AHAs, BHAs and PHAs: What the heck are all these A's you may ask? The difference is whether a product contains alpha, beta, or polyhydroxy acid. You may have heard of lactic acid (AHA), glycolic acid (AHA), salicylic acid (BHA), and lactobionic acid (PHA). AHAs and BHAs are commonly found in serums while PHA's are commonly found in exfoliating toners. AHAs are best for those concerned with wrinkles, fine lines, and ageing skin while BHAs are best for moderating oiliness and tackling those clogged pores. PHAs are similar to AHAs however their molecule size is bigger meaning they don't penetrate as deep, focusing on the surface of your skin and minimizing the risk for irritation. Determining which hydroxy acids are best for you boils down to your skin sensitivity and what you'd like to achieve through the use of these products. An AHA serum we love is the Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic (or Lactic in North America) Acid. To get a perfect and safe mix of BH's and PHAs in one product, we absolutely adore the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Toner, this product will give your skin glowing and refreshed immediately! Goss Tip: don't mix these acids with retinol, vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, or other acids in high concentrations.
Vitamin C: A good vitamin C product is a staple for your skincare routine. Vitamin C is highly effective in hydrating and brightening - two qualities we love for our skin. It's best to use it during the day as it can interact negatively with ingredients like retinol and acids (excluding hyaluronic acid). One of our favourite vitamin C serums is the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum, not only does it do wonders for your skin, but it smells like gummy candy heaven! Goss Tip: do not mix vitamin C with retinol, AHAs/BHAs/PHAs, benzoyl peroxide, or niacinamide.
Retinol: This ingredient can be a bit tricky, so we don't recommend it for skincare beginners unless instructed to do so by a dermatologist. Retinol is a part of the vitamin A family and is great for those wanting to prevent wrinkles, or even treat existing ones. Retinol can also be used to brighten skin and regulate oiliness or breakouts. Because retinol is such a reactive ingredient, you want to work your way up with this one. Use it only a couple nights a week and slowly increasing usage to avoid irritation. Here at Goss, we love the Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Retinol Sleeping Mask for how gentle of a retinol it is and how wonderfully it works. Goss Tip: don't mix retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, or AHAs/BHAs/PHAs.
Water: Last but absolutely not least is water! You may have heard this before, but staying hydrated and drinking lots of water will do your skin the biggest favour of all. Not only that, but taking care of your body is important and we encourage you all to get the water intake your body and skin needs.
*Disclaimer: This information is NOT to be interpreted as medical advice or as a replacement for medical advice from a medical professional.*
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